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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: pass · rush · pitch · key · press · scale · fork · snap

  1. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  3. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  4. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  5. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  8. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  9. Did you ________________ the button?
  10. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  11. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  15. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  16. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  17. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  18. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  19. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  20. This piece is in a major ________________.
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. rush — to hurry
  3. fork — to eat with
  4. press — newspapers
  5. fork — in a road
  6. pass — a permit
  7. key — for a lock
  8. pitch — completely
  9. press — to push
  10. scale — size or range
  11. pitch — a sales talk
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. press — a publisher
  15. snap — to click
  16. key — the most important part
  17. fork — a garden tool
  18. pitch — a sports field
  19. scale — in music
  20. key — in music
  21. rush — hurry
  22. snap — to speak sharply
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. snap — to snap out of it

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com